Tate Makes Zoom Appearance in Wayne County

Ray Tate made an appearance via Zoom Thursday in Wayne County Circuit Court. 

Tate pleaded guilty to the murder of Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Riley, now is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea. 

During the hearing Tate asked that he be provided more than 1,000 pages of documents regarding his case.  Tate also requested copies of video surveillance of his arrival and departures from the Wayne County Courthouse. Judge Michael Molt granted the requests. Tate complained that he had been having trouble receiving court documents in prison.

In June 2022, Tate filed a handwritten motion to withdraw his guilty plea to Riley's murder. Tate claimed he was coerced into pleading guilty, he had inadequate representation, and that he was never given a mental evaluation before he entered the guilty plea.

Another status hearing is set for May 4th.

Tate also faces counts in Missouri, where he allegedly headed after Deputy Riley's murder at the end of 2021, and in Clinton County, where he allegedly held people hostage before surrendering to authorities after returning to Illinois. 

The shooting of Deputy Riley, the flight to Missouri, and the return and surrender in Clinton County all occurred the same day. He is in prison on the charges to which he pleaded guilty in Wayne County.